UPDATED 4:55…UPDATED
GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION WARN OF HEALTH RISKS OF LOOTED ‘PERDIX’ CHICKEN
KINGSTON; April 5, 2025
The Government and the Opposition are warning people not to consume the ‘Perdix’ brand of chicken, boxes of which washed up on Jamaican shores and are now in the possession of some Jamaicans.
The Ministry of Agriculture is warning Jamaicans not to consume the chicken meat that washed up on the shores near Hellshire, St Catherine on Thursday.
The North Coast Times reported earlier that Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Alfred Dawes had warned of serious health risks from the boxes of chicken that were taken from at least one shipping container off the St Catherine coast.
Reports are that containers destined for the Cayman Islands fell from a ship and washed up on the Hellshire coast. A video making the rounds and seen by the North Coast Times showed at least one container being looted by more than a dozen Jamaicans who carted away boxes of the Perdix brand of chicken from Brazil.
(Boxes of washed-up chicken)
In a statement Saturday afternoon Dr Alfred Dawes, the Opposition spokesman on Health said he was “deeply concerned by current videos and images circulating online, showing members of the public removing boxes of whole raw chicken from a shipping container that appears to have washed ashore in Jamaica due to rough seas.”
Dr Dawes said he was strongly urging “Jamaicans to exercise extreme caution and refrain from consuming or distributing any of the chicken recovered from this container.”
He also urged people to be careful in purchasing chicken meat on the street, and from street side vendors. He called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, among other Government agencies, “to immediately investigate and seize the container to safely dispose of the remaining goods to prevent further risk to public health.”
(Picture shows what is said to be one of the containers off Hellshire Coast, St Catherine)
The Ministry of Agriculture says the chicken meat does not meet Jamaica’s safety standards and has not received the necessary import permits under The Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act.
The Ministry also said that there are serious concerns regarding food safety and spoilage of meat in the containers which would not have been maintained under ideal frozen conditions, once they fell from the ship.
The Ministry also raised the spectre of Avian Influenza or bird flu that could be posed by unverified poultry products. People who come into possession of the washed-up chicken meat are urged not to consume it or feed it to their animals.
WATCH as people go to the container:
SEE BELOW SOME OF THE CONCERNS AND DIRECTIVES ISSUED BY DR DAWES:
CRITICAL HEALTH ISSUES
Unknown Time and Temperature Exposure: It is unclear how long this container has been adrift or beached, and the chicken has undoubtedly been exposed to uncontrolled temperatures. Without proper refrigeration, raw poultry rapidly becomes a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
High Risk of Contamination: The chicken may now be contaminated with salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and other harmful pathogens. These bacteria can cause serious foodborne illnesses, especially in children, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems.
No Guarantee of Safe Handling: The products have not been inspected or cleared by the Ministry of Health or the Veterinary Services Division. There is no assurance of proper food handling or hygiene since they were retrieved directly from a damaged shipping container and carried away by individuals under unsanitary conditions.
I therefore issue the following urgent warning:
To the individuals who removed boxes of chicken from the container: Please do not consume or sell this meat. Safely dispose of it, as eating or distributing it could lead to widespread illness.
To the general public: Be vigilant. If you are purchasing chicken from street vendors or food establishments, ask questions. Ensure the source of the meat is reputable, and if in doubt, do not consume it.
To food business operators and vendors: Selling or preparing meals with chicken of unknown and unverified origin is not only unethical—it is dangerous and could result in public health violations or prosecution.
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